Press Release

Wagner leaves coach Hughes for Hill

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(06/23/2008) - U.S. bronze medalist Ashley Wagner
announced today that she has ended her six-year relationship with coach Shirley Hughes and will begin training with Priscilla Hill.

"I'm hoping this change helps bring a new maturity to my skating and brings me closer to my dream of competing in the Olympic Games," Wagner said.

Wagner began training with Hughes in January 2002. She made her big splash in the fall of 2006, when she won both of her Junior Grand Prix assignments and finished second at the JGP Final. She followed that up with bronze medals at the 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships (at the junior level) and the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

"I appreciate all that Mrs. Hughes has done for me; I wouldn't have made it to the world championships without her," Wagner said. "Right now I'm concentrating on my future and where this change will take me."

"I am very proud of Ashley and all we accomplished together," Hughes said. "I wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors."